A NEW STERILIZABLE HIGH TEMPERATURE POLYETHERIMIDE BLEND FOR HEALTHCARE APPLICATIONS

摘要

A transparent, high temperature thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) resin blend with improved impact resistance and enhanced hydrostability has been developed for healthcare applications. The two-phase resin blend is a versatile high performance material that can be sterilized using traditional methods such as high temperature autoclave, ethylene oxide, gamma radiation, as well as STERRAD~R NX~R, a low-temperature hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization process. Injection molding of the new resin blend and mechanical property and color retention after sterilization is described and compared to polyphenylsulfone (PPSU).